Hockey players and Research in Motion now have more in common than a tendency towards bouts of unresponsiveness—RIM has managed to coax five NHL players, including Toronto Maple Leafs winger Joffrey Lupul,into filming video diaries to promote the much-maligned PlayBook tablet. A teaser video shows Lupul, along with the Anaheim Ducks’ Bobby Ryan, the New York Rangers’ Martin Biron, thePhiladelphia Flyers’ Scott Hartnell and the New York Islanders’ Michael Grabner, eating cheese-laden sandwiches, signing autographs, going shopping and playing cards. (Hockey players: they’re just like us!) We’re intrigued by the marketing gambit because it signals that new CEO Thorsten Heins is serious about his vows to work on RIM’s image. Plus, it’s a big ol’ slap in the face to ousted CEO Jim Balsillie, who never did realize his NHL dreams. Read the entire story [Financial Post] »